Analysing the Spatial Spread of Banditry Activities in Zamfara State Nigeria

Abstract

The menace of banditry has become a serious threat to the people of the northwestern part of Nigeria, with Zamfara State experiencing the highest occurrence of incidence. Given this, the study sought to assess the spread of banditry in Zamfara State using the Geographic Information System (GIS) to provide spatial information for effectively monitoring the banditry incidence. Data utilised for the study include both primary and secondary. The primary data involved direct field observations. Secondary data were from the Armed Conflict Location and Events Data (ACLED) 2022 version. The result revealed a clustered pattern of the banditry in part of Zurmi, the eastern part of Maradun. Gusau, Maru, and Zurmi. These places had the highest banditry activities, with more than 24 incidents (2017-2021). The western part of Zurmi and the eastern part of Maradu are seen to be hot spots of banditry activities based on the density of the incidents at a 99% significant level. Hence, there is a need to adopt modern technology that will assist in dictating the location of bandit areas to deploy security personnel in curtailing this deadly menace.